The Wig Shop Boston: Hidden Speakeasy & Absinthe Experience

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Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Hidden behind a wig shop on Temple Street in Boston is a speakeasy you might easily walk right past. I only knew about the wig shop because another bartender tipped me off.

I jotted it down and knew I had to check it out when I finally made it to Boston. So, during a night out on the town, we made our way in.

Here’s everything you need to know about The Wig Shop—plus a special look at their unique absinthe ritual.

The Wig Shop in Boston

My favorite part of The Wig Shop was how hidden it was. If I didn’t know what I was looking for, I would’ve walked right past it.

But when I saw the wigs in the window, I knew we were in the right spot.

The Wig Shop on Temple Place in Boston

We opened the door and were greeted by the hostess, who let us know there was a short wait and our table would be ready soon.

So, we wandered over to Boston Common and did a little people-watching from a bench.

I recommend making reservations to secure a spot in advance.

Before visiting The Wig Shop, we spent the day on the Ultimate Self-Guided Food Tour of North End Boston

About 15 minutes later, I got the text—it was go time. Just like that, we were in.

Cocktails as Fun as the Vibe

The Wig Shop is small but cozy. Couches, small tables, and chairs are scattered around a dimly lit room.

The bar sits in the back, and the vibes are loud yet vibrant.

The Wig Shop Boston Menu

We kicked things off with a round of cocktails—because if I’m going to write about a speakeasy, I have to try their drinks.

Creative Cocktails at The Wig Shop Speakeasy

I had to try the Helena, which had Don Julio blanco, elderflower,
pamplemousse, lemon, and cotton candy foam!

We also tried the Channing Tay Yum, which had Singani 63, blackberry, pistachio orgeat, lime, and black pepper.

The Absinthe Ritual at The Wig Shop

It wasn’t until our drinks arrived that I saw the Absinthe Ritual—and I knew we had to try it.

I first had absinthe at Madame George in New York City, and it completely changed my opinion of it.

I had no idea there were so many different kinds—and I definitely didn’t know the ritual was a thing.

The Absinthe Ritual at The Wig Shop

So after finishing our drinks, we agreed to try it. The best part? We didn’t have to drive and were just a short walk from our hotel. If there was ever a night to go for it, this was it.

The server came over and walked us through the process, setting up a slow-drip water station. Then he brought over our cups of absinthe, each topped with a sugar cube.

Drinking Absinthe at a hidden cocktail bar in Boston

You let the absinthe drip onto the sugar cube, which helps dilute it, making it more enjoyable.

Without that, it really tastes like a strong shot of licorice. They do warn you that the absinthe is very strong—86% alcohol, I believe—and they weren’t kidding.

We sipped it slowly, and I could definitely feel it kicking in.

The flavor is strong yet intriguing—it reminds me of black licorice from when I was a kid, and honestly, I never liked it. But, surprisingly, the absinthe was still enjoyable.

Does Absinthe Cause Hallucinations?

Our waiter also shared the story about how people think absinthe causes hallucinations.

Apparently, it all started with one person who drank a lot of it back in the 1940s, and at that point, he was probably seeing whatever he wanted anyway.

While we didn’t hallucinate, we were definitely feeling it. I’m just glad we had dinner before coming here.

I loved learning about absinthe and the ritual at The Wig Shop, and it was even more fun because we got to experience it hidden away in a bar in one of the most popular areas of Boston. I couldn’t think of a better place to try it.

Want to visit another speakeasy in Boston? This Boston Speakeasy is Hidden Below A Famous Pastry Shop